Combined insole and shank.



B. ROSENBERG. COMBINED INSOLE AND SHANE.) APPLIOATiON FILED AUG. 5, '1914.

' 1, 1 1 8, 1 5 1 Patentdwov. 24, 1914;

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v %%YLL5 Gum BENJAMIN nosnunnae, or NEW YQRK, N, Y.

COMBINED msoms AND smun Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented N (W. 24; 1914.

Application filed August 5, 1914. Serial No. 855,169.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BENJAMIN Rosnnnnne, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Combined Insoles and Shanks, of

.'which the following is a full, clear, and

exact specification.

This invention relates to a class of devices adapted to be used in conjunction with footwear worn by persons.

In accordance with the. present methods employed in the manufacture of footwear particularly such forms as are commonly known as turned shoes the upper and sole of .each shoe are lasted inside-out, and when the sole is stitched to the upper a marginal flange, or free edge is .formed which overlaps the Sole interiorly of the shoe when it is turned for' receiving its finishings. When this type of shoe is worn the marginal free edge of the upper tends to absorb moisture which frequently causes it to curl in an upward direction interiorly of the shoe while drying, and if the shoe is not worn regularly the curling of the marginal free edge often becomes so pronounced as to make the shoe practically, worthless after a period of wear.

My invention has for its object primarily to overcome these objections by .providingiacombined insole and shank wherein is emp oyed a flexible. supportin plateyor layer of leather, or the like of a orm conf to the shape of the inner bottom of the shoe so as to overlap the marginal free edge of.

. the upper, and part of the heel portion of this supporting layer is ,split longitudinally to provide two superposed layer portions while part of the underside of thetoe por tion of the layer is cut away longitudinally. On the underside of the cutaway toe por tion of the layer is provided a filler of cork, or other non-absorbent material, and be tween the two superposed heel portions of the supporting layer is another filler of cork, or other non-absorbent material. These fillers are thereby spaced apart to prevent all tendency to break, or split by the bending of the shoe -when worn as is incident to shoeshaving cork insoles which embrace the greater part, or all of the interior of the Another object of the invention is to form in the underside of each of the cork fillers one, or a number of spaced transverse grooves to provide passages through which air may circulate to and under the marginal free edge of the upper so that the underneath surface of this free edge will be kept dry, and should the edge tend to curl its course will be downwardly instead of upwardly; and'a further object of the invention is to rovide a metal shank which is rigidly hel to a leather plate, or layer secured to the underside of the insole.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawing forming, a part of this specification in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the'views, the said invention being more fully described hereinafter, and then pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a form of turned-shoe showing the sole stitched thereto before it is turned inside-out. Fig. 2 is a View showing the top of one form of combined insole and shankembodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a sectiontaken longitudinally through the shank. Fig. 4 is an inverted plan of the filler used in the toe portion of the insole. Fig. 5 is an inverted plan of the filler used in the heel form with the shape of the interior of the shoe to which it is applied, the device being especially adaptable to types of footwear commonly known as turned shoes, as shown at 11, which are made by stitching the sole 12 to the upper 13 and lasting these parts of the shoe inside-out. 'IVhen the shoe is turned to receive its finishings a marginal flange, or free edge, as 14, is formed, and

this free edge overlaps the sole interiorly of the shoe.

The supporting plate, or layer 10 is made of a size to rest on the marginal free edge let,

and this layer is preferably of a greater thickness than the insoles of the .usual makes of shoes. The heel portion of the supporting layer '10 is longitudinally split to provide two superposed portions 15 and 16, and the underside of the toe portion of the su porting layer is cut away, at 17 longitu inally thereof. Between the superposed heel portions 15 and 16 is a filler 18 of cork, or other material which is a non-absorbent of moisture, and on the underside of the cutaway toe portion isa second filler 19 also of cork, or othermaterial which is a nonabsorbent of moisture.

The non-absorbent fillers 1'8 and 19 conform to the shape of the portions of the supporting layer 10 to which they are applied, but the fillers are of slightly less width than the supporting layer so that the supporting layer overhangs the fillers. The upper surfaceof the curved edge of each of the fillers 18 and 19 is beveled, at 20, and one or both surfaces of the entire body of each filler is tapered toward its straight edge so that the opposed ends thereof are graduated to nothing. .VVhen applied to the supporting layer both of the fillers 18 and 19 are spaced apart to obviate all tei dency to break, or split by the bending of the'shoe when worn as is incident to shoes having cork insoles covering the greaterpart, or all of'the sole interiorly of the shoe, the well known brittleness of cork serving to make insoles of this class in ordinary use susceptible "of being easily damaged. In the underside of each of the fillers 18 and19 are a number of spaced transverse grooves 21 and 22, to provide passages wherebyair may pass therethrough to and under the marginal free edge 14'of the upper of the shoe, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Secured by pasting, or otherwise to the underside of the supporting layer 10.is a

shank plate 23 which is made preferably of leather, and this shank plate is of a length to extend from the end of the heel portion of the supporting layer to some distance of the foot portion thereof. Onthe underside of the shank plate 23 is fastened by pins, or the like a strip of steel, or other .metal, as 24. The strip 24 extends from the central part of the heel part of the plate 23 to nearly the end of the plate which is under the foot portion of the supporting layer, and this strip is formed so that its central part is upwardly curved for likewise curving and stiffening the shank. part of the insole as well as forming the insole in proper shape.

When the device is applied to the shoe after it is turned it is disposed interiorly of the shoe, and the beveled edges of the integer non-absorbent fillers 18 and 19 are inserted under the marginal free edge 14s of the upper of the shoe. As these fillers are of less width, than the supporting layer 10 as Well as being of less width than the interior of the shoe, a space will be provided between the fillers and the upper under its marginalfr'ee edge. This space will thereby communicate with the grooves 21 and 22 of the fillers so that air will circulate under the marginal free edge of the upper for serving to keep the underneath surface thereof dry, and should this edge tend to curl its course will be downwardly instead of upwardly. The edge of the supporting layer 10 is then pasted, or otherwise secured on the top of the marginal free edge 1% of the upper. In this manner my combined insole ar'id shank will greatly enhance the durability of turned shoes, and also render much comfort to the wearer.

In the foregoing description, T have embodied the preferred form' of my invention,

but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the principle, or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, therefore I reserve to myself the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent V 1. In a combined insole and shank, adaptto be applied interiorly ofashoe having on itsu-pper a marginal free edge overlapping the inner surface of the sole of" the shoe, a flexible supporting layer conforming to the shape of the interior of the bottom of the shoe so asto be disposed on. the top of the marginalfl'free edge, and a non-a sorbent filler on the bottom of'thetoe portion of the supporting layer, said filler being adapted to be inserted between the marginal free edge of the upper and the sole of the shoe, and the filler being of less width than the shoe to provide a space for the circulation of air under the marginal free edge of the upper, said filler being constructed on its underside with an air passage communieating with the air space under the marginal free edge of the upper, substantially as set forth and for the purpose specified.

insertion between the marginal free edge of the upper and the sole of the shoe, and the filler being of less width than the shoe toprovide a space for the circulation of air under the marginal free edge of the upper, said filler being constructed on its underside with an air passage coimnunicating with the air space under the marginal free edge of the upper, substantially as set forth and for the purpose specified.

3. In a combined insole and shank, adapted to be applied interiorly of a shoe having on its upper a marginal free edge overlapping the inner surface of the sole of the shoe, a flexible supporting layer conforming to the shape of the interior of the bottom of the shoe so as to be disposed on the top of the marginal free edge, a non-absorbent filler on the bottom of the toe por tion of the supporting layer, said filler being adapted to be inserted between the marginal free edge of the upper and the sole of the shoe, and the filler being of less width than the shoe to provide a space for the circulation of air under the marginal free edge of the upper, said filler being constructed on its underside with an air passage communicating with the air space un-,

der the marginal free edge of the upper,

and a curved metal strip rigidly held on the shank portion of the underside -.of the supporting layer, substantially "as set forth and for the purpose specified.

4. In a combined insole and shank, adapted to be applied interiorly of a shoe having on its upper a marginal free edge overlapping the inner surface of the sole of the shoe, a flexible supporting layer conforming to the shape of the interior of the bottom of the shoe so as to be disposed on the top of the marginal free edge, and. a nonabsorbent filler on the bottom of the heelwidth than the shoe to provide a space for. the circulation of air under the marginal free edge of the upper, said filler beingconstructed on its underside with an air passage communicating with the air space under the marginal free edge of the upper substantially as set forth and for thepur-q pose specified.

5. In a combined insole-and shank,a'dapted to be applied interiorly of a shoe having on its upper a marginal free edge overlapping the inner surface of the sole of the shoe, a flexible supporting layer'conforming to the shape of the interior of the bottom of the shoe so as to be disposed on the top of the marginal free edge, .a non-absorbent filler on the bottom of the heel portion of the'supporting. layer, said filler being adapted to be inserted between the marthan the shoe to provide a space for the "cir-- culation of air under the marginal free edge of the upper, said filler being constructed on'its underside with an air passage communicating with the air :space under the marginal free edge ofthe upper, and a curved metal strip rigidly held onthe shank portion of the underside of }the-supporting layer, substantially as set; forth and for the purpose specified;

6. In a combinedinsole and shank, aaapted to be applied interiorly of a shoe having on its upper a marginal free edge overlapping the inner surface of the sole of the shoe, a flexible supporting layer conforming to the shape of the interior'of the bottom of the shoe so as to be disposed on the top of the marginal free edge, and two spaced non-absorbent fillers on the. bottom of the supporting layer, one atthe toe portion and the other at the heel portion thereof, said fillers being adapted-tobeinserted between the marginal free edge of the up er and the sole of the shoe, and both; fillers eing pf less widths than the shoe to provide spaces for the circulation of air under the marginal free edge of the upper, said fillers being constructed on their undersides with air passages communicating. with the air spaces under the: marginal free edge of the upper, substantially as set forth and for the purpose specified. I I

7. In a combined insole and shank, adapted to be applied interiorly of a'shoe having on its upper a marginal free edge overlapping the inner surface of the sole of the shoe, a flexible supporting layer conforming to the shape ofthe interior of the bottom of the shoe so as to be disposed on the top of the marginal free edge, .two spaced non-absorbent fillers on the bottom of the supporting layer, one at the toe portion and the other at the heel portion thereof,

said fillers being adapted to be inserted between the marginal free ed e of the upper and the sole of the shoe, an both fillers be ing of less widths: than-the shoe to provide spaces for the circulation of air under the marginal free edge of the .upper, said fillers being constructed'on their undersides with air passages communicatin with the air spaces under themarginal ree edge of the upper, and a curved metalstrip rigidly held on the shank portiofiof the underside of the supporting layer, substantially as set forth and for the purpose specified.

8. In a combined insole and shank, adapted to be applied interiorly'of a shoe having on .its upper a marginal free edge overlapping the inner surface of the sole of' the shoe, a flexible supporting layer conforming-lo the shape of the interior of the bottom of the shoe so as to be disposed on the ers,

I "supporting top of the marginal free edge-and the heel of the supporting layer being longitudinally split to provide two superposed laya non-absorbent filler between the superposed layers, a second non-absorbent filler on the bottom of the toe portion of the layer, said fillers being adapted to be inserted between the marginal free edge of the upper and the sole oi the shoe, and both fillers being of less widths than the shoe to provide spaces for the circulation of air under the marginal free edge of the upper, said fillers being constructed 

